Frederick Rugby is approaching our 10^th birthday. In this short time, we (the players and supporters) have built a program that is Nationally ranked in Division II. Without wishing to sound too much like Kevin Eagar at the Banquet, back in 1994 we reached the National Sweet-16 for the first time. I was Captain, Don Briggs was Coach and we had a very good side, but the "bigness" of the occasion was too much of a shock for us back then. We lost in the first round to Burlington, VT who went on to place 3^rd in the USA that year. It took us a while to regroup after that but in 1998 Frederick returned to the Nationals and with Tory Ireland as Captain and John Redmond as Coach reached the final, placing #2 in the USA. This time the Club was better prepared. In 1999 Frederick returned to the Nationals, Captained by Kenny Orndoff, Coached by Lance French. Orange County beat us, in injury time. They went on to be crowned National Champs, Frederick collected a #5 in the USA ranking. What I’m trying to show is that we are building a real program here in Frederick, and it isn’t based on a particular player or coach. All of us, from the frontline players to the guys that pass through the Club to our supporters and families have contributed to where we are. We have the support structure in place, let’s go get a Mid-Atlantic North title this Fall, then go back to the Nationals.

Pete Ireland and Kenny Orndoff are once again running the summer Sevens program. Practices are at 7^th Street each Tuesday and Thursday 7:15pm to 9:00pm. If you are training in the off-season, try to make one of these each week, good sprint cross training. There are two remaining Sevens Tournaments:

Two players that have had a big impact on Frederick Rugby through the years are unfortunately moving out of the area. Rob Schuster is taking the wife and kids back to the warmth of Hawaii (I guess the military life isn’t all bad) and Jon Hixon, soon to be married, has taken a job in Chicago. We wish both Rob and Jon the very best. Please stay in touch!! I think that we have already been invited out to Hawaii and I figure that at least we won't have to pay for hotels in Chicago next time we get out there with the Sweet-16!!

Remember to use the web page

If you have e-mail and would like to receive match reports etc just send me an e-mail to

Frederick build a solid 10 – 0 lead in this match in the first half, based on a try by Will "Wheels" Brewington, converted by Chris Sipe who added a penalty kick. In the second half, Chris Sipe extended the lead to 13 – 0 before the home side came back very strong. Back to back converted tries by Media saw the home team take the lead 14 – 13. Frederick rallied with a try from Sipe to go up 18 – 14. Media answered with an unconverted try, going back on top 21 – 19, before cool-hand Sipe slotted what had to be the winning penalty kick to put Frederick back in the lead 21 – 19. With 5 minutes to go, Media pressured, scored out wide but also managed to slot the conversion. Frederick was down 21 – 26 as we entered injury time. I really don’t know what happened next. A massive forward surge to the right gave Frederick possession in the Media 22m area. The ball went out to Wheels who passed looped and scored in the left-hand corner. The match was tied 26 – 26 and two 10-minute injury time periods were to be played. In overtime, Media did not touch the ball and the Frederick fitness showed. An unconverted try in the first period by replacement Mike "Scully" Stull and another Wheels try converted by Sipe in the second period sealed victory for Frederick, 38 – 26.

The win put Frederick into the Mid-Atlantic final against Raleigh, who cruised past Second City Troop, 48 – 17. Both finalists would qualify for the National Sweet-16, the winner taking the #2 seed and the loser entering on the #13 seed.

1: Tory Ireland

2: Mike Taylor

3: Dave Wilsey

4: Jay Reeder

5: Jeff Lutton

6: Jamie Romano

7: Art Hall

8: Julian Reading

9: Eric Kretzer

10: Will Brewington

11: Chris Sipe

12: Kenny Orndoff

13: Tobin Triebel

14: Dave Gentzel

15: Rob Schuster

16: Mike Stull in for Rob Schuster

17: Mike Thompson for Gentzel

18: Seth Townley for Wilsey

19: Pete Ireland for Lutton

20: Eric Aldinger for Triebel

Frederick chose to start a number of fresh forward squad members and was also forced to modify the back line through injury. The new team took a while to settle in, looking flustered in defense and suffered two quick unconverted Raleigh tries to be down 10 – 0 after 15 minutes of play. Frederick then regrouped and based upon the momentum of the pack, pulled back into the contest with two penalties by Chris Sipe to trail 6 – 10. Will "Wheels" Brewington called for a try and his back line delivered, with a score in the corner by Mike Thompson. Frederick went into the half leading 11 – 10. Sipe added another penalty after the break to extend the lead to 14 – 10. Raleigh were strong with the ball when they got possession and scored an unconverted try to pull ahead 15 – 14. Another surge ended with Tory Ireland pushing across the line for a try, regaining the lead 19 – 15. With 2 minutes left in the game Raleigh crossed the Frederick line again and converted to push ahead 22 – 19. Frederick had to keep the ball in play, and got all the way down to the Raleigh line, but could not get across. High risk attacking from within the Frederick 22m backfired. Raleigh recovered the ball and scored a try to win 27 – 19.

1: George Pappas

2: Mike Taylor

3: Seth Townley

4: Jay Reeder

5: Pete Ireland

6: Bryan Gustafson

7: Jamie Romano

8: Julian Reading

9: Eric Kretzer

10: Will Brewington

11: Mike Thompson

12: Kenny Orndoff

13: Mike Grunwell

14: Mike Stull

15: Chris Sipe

16: Tory Ireland for Pappas

17: Jeff Lutton for P. Ireland

18: Dave Wilsey for Townley

19: Larry Grimm for Gustafson

20: Vince Baker for Brewington

21: Art Hall for Romano

In the Mid-Atlantic runners-up match, Media defeated Second City 33 – 7. Raleigh as Mid-Atlantic champions takes MARFU seed #1 and travels to Dallas/Ft.Worth to face Northeast #3 Amoskeag; Frederick as runners-up takes MARFU seed #2 and travels to Chicago to face Northeast #2 Montauk.

Once again thanks to all of you for your commitment to Frederick Rugby, I hope you had as much fun as I did.

1: Tory Ireland

2: Mike Taylor

3: Dave Wilsey

4: Jeff Lutton

5: Jay Reeder

6: Bryan Gustafson

7: Art Hall

8: Julian Reading

9: Eric Kretzer

10: Will Brewington

11: Tobin Triebel

12: Eric Aldinger

13: Kenny Orndoff

14: Dave Gentzel (2T)

15: Chris Sipe

16: Dareld Dudley for Lutton

17: Mike Stull for Sipe

Frederick went up 13 - 0 at the half on 2 tries and a conversion. Got stuck in the mud when we changed sides allowing Montauk to get back in it. Dave Gentzel intercepted for an 80m score to get us back in front. A couple of additional tries sealed it for Frederick.

1: Tory Ireland

2: Mike Taylor

3: Seth Townley

4: Dareld Dudley

5: Jay Reeder

6: Larry Grimm

7: Art Hall

8: Julian Reading (T)

9: Eric Kretzer (T)

10: Will Brewington

11: Tobin Triebel

12: Eric Aldinger

13: Kenny Orndoff (2P, 2C)

14: Dave Gentzel

15: Chris Sipe

16: Jeff Lutton for Reeder

17: Mike Stull for Aldinger

18: Dave Wilsey for Townley

Heavy rain and muddy to start. The Islanders kicked a penalty then scored a quick try after Frederick had maintained a lot of pressure to go up 10 - 0. Frederick's pressure paid off just before the half with a try from Eric Kretzer converted by Kenny Orndoff who also slotted a penalty. Frederick tied up 10 -10 at the half. The Islanders scored again to lead 17 - 10. Frederick slotted a penalty to claw back 17 - 13. Then kept up the pressure forcing the Islanders into a series of penalties. A surge after a rolling maul of the lineout put me over to go up by one, Kenny converted and we led 20 - 17 going into injury time. The Islanders managed to keep the ball alive through a couple of penalties and got over in the left corner to win 22 - 20 as time expired.

(Midwest #1)

Las Vegas 22

(SoCal #2)

(SoCal #1)

Frederick 20

(MidAtlantic #2)

(MidWest #2)

Albany 14

(NorthEast #1)

(Pac #1)

Raleigh 13

(MidAtlantic #1)

Tommy Grunwell - $500 for Chicago

Walt Winn - $500 for Club

Ed Shafer - $150 for Chicago

Don Briggs - $100 for Chicago

Allen Byrne - $100 for Chicago

Printing Services Inc (Mike Grunwell) - $100 for Chicago

1. Ron Hemby, construction June 19^th – land clearance ($10 per man hour)
2. Eric Kretzer, fencing in July.
3. Pete Ireland, Pig Roast, Sept 5^th
4. Dan Makosy, Frederick Keys Wednesday July 7^th ($10 per ticket)

5. Dave Crome, Pizza kits.
6. Tory Ireland, Basket Bingo.
7. Allen Byrne, corporate sponsorship.
8. Eric Kretzer/Walt Winn, Old Boys letter/pledge.

1. Lance French – unsure of availability due to new job.
2. Jim Ford – potentially available.
3. John Redmond – unavailable, committed to PAC.
4. Eamon Doyle – Irish Coach referred by Darren Clarke (Julian).
5. Dave Ellis – NZ Breckenridge Coach referred by Tory Ireland
6. Dave Lyons – Welsh MD Exiles Coach referred by Dave Gentzel
7. Advertise in Rugby Magazine (Eric Kretzer).
8. Committee members: Chris Sipe, Mike Taylor, Dan Makosy

1. Mike Taylor, MD Exiles Props
2. Josh Ditsky, produce FRFC brochure
3. Jeff Lutton, college recruitment

1. Pre-season training (Dan Makosy)
2. 1999 Fall Schedule (Eric Kretzer)
3. Cable 10 TV (Ed Shafer)
4. Practice facilities (Pat O’Connell)
5. Match facilities (Radar/Tommy Grunwell)
6. Newspaper (Julian)
7. New Jerseys (Jay Reeder/Eric Kretzer)
8. After Match Party Bar

i) Krugg’s Place (Julian)

Wednesday July 7^th at the Frederick Keys Game.

Ed Shafer’s Frederick After 35 (FAT Boys) represented Frederick RFC at the Baltimore Rites of Spring Tournament. The team beat up on Baltimore Old Boys 22-0 with star performances by Al Goetz, Jimmy Ford, and Mike Blackwell. Then went on to win the final over the Washington Irish based Wild Geese. Congratulations to all involved and we all look forward to the continued success of Frederick’s senior players!

It’s time to replace the old jerseys. We need help to raise the money! Two full sets of rugby jerseys will cost $2,500. Selling off our old jerseys will raise part of the money. Talk to Eric Kretzer if you really want a particular number (before some little bugger takes all the #8’s for instance!!). Any donations from Old Boys or friends of the Club will be gratefully received!! Just mail checks, made out to FRFC to Jersey Fund, c/o 1509 Scott’s Chase Drive, Frederick, MD 21702.

Check out "piccies" on the web page. Nice pictures of Bub, Jon Hixon and Lutton, Web and some little kid!!